Spray dispensing devices



June 30, 1964 R. E. KRUCK SPRAY DISPENSING DEVICES 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec, 22. 1960 INVENTOR.

RALPH E. KRUCK.

ATTOR N EY FIG. 8.

June 30, 1964 R. E. KRUCK 3,139,223

SPRAY DISPENSING DEVICES Filed Dec. 22. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 es me, |8 FIG. l5.

l *80 INVENTOR.

RALPH E. KRUCK ATTORN EY United States Patent Olice Patented June 30, 1964 3,139,223 SPRAY DISPENSING DEVICES Ralph E. Krnck, Clinton, Conn., assignor to Metal Fabrications, Inc., Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Dec. 22, 1960, Ser. No. 77,753

8 Claims. (Cl. 222-394) This invention relates to spray devices of the category wherein a uid under pressure withina container is discharged in an atomized spray upon pressure applied to spring-loaded valve means.

Among the conventional devices of this class there are those that have valve stems or other valve means which are operatively manipulated by applying pressure Vto the stem or valve means in a longitudinal direction, and others that have valve stems or other valve means that are operatively manipulated by vapplying lateral pressure to the stem or valve means to cause a lateral deection thereof to eifect a discharge of the fluid in the form of a spray. Where stems are employed those which require a longitudinal or depressing force are at times relatively stiff, sothat the most effective action for such devices is obtained when the operative manual pressure has no lateral component; and the stems which require a lateral deflecting force are generally relativelyv yieldable or bendable, such stems being non-operative when subjected only to a longitudinal pressure. It is accordingly my objective, in one aspect of this invention, to provide a spray device that will effectively enable manual pressure to provide a truly longitudinal force to a valve stem or other valve means of the depressible typeand in another aspect of the invention to provide a spray device that will enable manual pressure to provide an effective lateral force to a stern or other valve means of the said laterally deflectable type.

It is another object of my invention to provide a dispensing head for a spray device of the class above mentioned that is adapted to combine the functions of the aforesaid two embodiments, whereby it is useable with either a depressible or a bendable valve stem or other valve means.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a unitary member serving as a combination valve actuator and discharge nozzle, wherein the nozzle is disposed within the movable actuator, the arrangementl being such as to facilitate manufacture and assembly.

A further important object is the provision of means for reducing the danger of an accidental discharge through the nozzle. In the accomplishment of this objective I employ two spaced wing members in flanking relation to said actuator, said wing members being positioned at a level no lower than the top surface of -the actuator when it is in its uppermost inoperative position, whereby the wing members act as protective walls so that an operative manipulation of the actuator can only occur when a finger is deliberately inserted between said members.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a manually operable valve actuator in combination with guiding means so arranged as to prevent the manipulating finger from slipping off, as sometimes occurs in certain conventional devices.

Another object of my invention is the provision of means for enabling the user to push the valve actuator in the direction of the spray, thereby facilitating the accurate aiming of the nozzle. And in this aspect of my invention it is my further objective to provide a device adapted for the controlled release of the spray.

And it is my objective to provide an attractive device that has the aforesaid features, and that can economically be mass-produced.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

FIG. l is a side elevation of one form of my invention shown in its inoperative position, the upper portion being shown partly in section.

FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a front View of FIG. l.

FIG. 4 is a section of FIG. l taken along line 4 4.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of the device, substantially like that shown in FIG. l, but in its operative position.

FIG. 6 is a side View of another form of my invention, the upper portion being shown in section, the device being shown in its inoperative position.

FIG. 7 is a top view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front view ofFIG. 6,.

FIG. 9 is a section of FIG. 8 taken along line 9 9.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side view substantially like FIG. y6, but showing the device in its operative position.

FIG. l1 is a longitudinal fragmentary section of FIG. 9 taken along line 11-11, showing the device in its operative position. y

FIG. l2 is a vertical section of another embodiment of my yinvention showing the device in inoperative position.

FIG. 13 is a top view of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a front view of FIG. l2.

FIG. 15 is a section of FIG. 14 taken along line 154-15. FIG. 16 is a fragmentary side view, ysubstantially like FIG. l2, but showing the device in its operative position when applied to a vertically depressible stem.

FIG. 17 is a part side sectional and part side elevational view of the device of FIG. 16 shown in its operativeV position when applied to a bendable stern.

FIG. l8 is a top View of FIG. 17. Y

In the form of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the dispensing head generally designated 20 is frictionally mounted over the upper portion 21 of the container 22, the latter containing a conventional aerosol unit 23 into the chamber 24 of which extends the vertically depressible valve stern25 having an inlet aperture 26 and outlet aperture 27 communicating with lpassageways i 28, 29 and nozzle passageway 3i), the arrangement being such that when stern 25 is operatively depressed to the position shown in FIG. 5, fluid under pressure will enter said inlet aperture 26 and be ejected into the atmosphere from nozzle passageway 30 in the form of a spray, all in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The said dispensing head 2t? has at the lower portion thereof the annular wall 31 with the inner circumferential protuberance 32 in frictionalengagement with the annular recess 33 of said-upper portion 21, whereby said head is removably secured to the container 22.

The body portion of said dispensing head 20 has the two laterally spaced guide wings 34 and 35 comprising the two respective upper walls 36 and 37 and the4 two respective downwardly extendinginner walls 38 and 39. The arrangement is such as to provide a recessed cavity 40 accommodating therein the stem actuator 41, the latter comprising the upper wall 42, the rear wall-43, the front Wall 44 and the stem-engaging boss 45 extending downwardly from the underside of said upper wall 42 intermediate said rear and front walls 43 and 44, respectively. In the particular construction illustrated, said boss has the recessed portion 46 into which said stem 25 extends,

the top of the stem engaging the abutment 47, the wall 4S disposed forwardly of said boss 45 supporting the nozzle 49, the latter containing the said passageway 30. The said 3 respective rear and front walls 43 and 45 join the said lower wall 31-Which may be considered the base of the dispensing head--at the juncture lines 50 and 51, respectively, said rear and front Vwalls being pivotally movable forwardly and rearwardly about sai-d juncture lines, as will more clearly hereinafter appear.

In the preferred form illustrated, the entire body portion is made of somewhat resilient plastic material, the said walls 42, 43 and 44, the boss 45, wall 48, base 31 and wings 34 and 35 being integral components of said body portion. The resilient characteristics are such that said components will yieldably resist a deflection from their original fabricated positions, and will return to said positions after the release of a deliecting force. In this ernbodiment, the said top walls 36 and 37 of the guide wings 34 and 35 are disposed above the upper surface 54 of the actuator member 41, thereby providing a channel-shaped recess 53 for accommodating the manipulating finger.

In the operation of this device, a linger is applied to the upper Wall 42 of the stem actuator 41, causing it to ex downwordly in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5, whereby the rear and front walls 43 and 44 are pivotally moved inwardly about said juncture lines 50 and 51, the boss 45 forcing the stem 25 down into its operative position to discharge the liuid therefrom into and out through said nozzle 49. Upon a release of the finger pressure, the said walls 42, 43 and 44 will, because of their aforesaid resiliency, return to their original or inoperative positions illustrated in FIG. 1.

It is evident that since the finger pressure upon wall 42 is downward, the operative pressure upon stem 25 will be in a longitudinal direction, with no lateral component; hence this device, operated in the manner aforesaid, is adapted for use with rigid stems. The extended area of upper wall 42 from the front to the rear of the dispensing head 20 enables a controlled depression of the stem to be effected, with minimum effort. It is further to be noted that the said channel-like recess 53 enables a proper placement of the finger over the wall 42, thereby providing optimum positioning of the finger. Moreover, the said inner walls 38 and 39 of the guide wings 34 and 35 provide assurance against the fingers slipping off the actuator member 41.

In the form of my invention shown in FIGS. 6 to 1l, the dispensing head 55 contains the annular basev 56 having the inner radial ribs 57, the recessed portions 58 of which are positioned to frictionally engage the upper rim 59 of the container 60. This embodiment is substantially like the form above described, having pivotally mounted front and rear walls 61 and 62, respectively; but the top wall 63 of the stem actuator 64 is convexly curved upwardly in its inoperative position, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Extending down from the top wall 63 is the boss 65 in operative engagement with the stem 66, the latter being in operative communication with the discharge passageway 67 of the nozzle 68 when the stem is in its depressed position, as shown in FIG. 10.

The said dispensing head 55 contains the two wing members 69 and 70, the said members having the upwardly and inwardly extending walls 71 and 72, respectively, there being inner walls 73 and 74 depending from said walls 71 and 72. The said walls 73 and 74 together with the top of actuator member 64 define the channellike recess 75 for accommodating a finger therein,A in the manner aforesaid.

Upon an operative depression of said upper Wall 63 of the dispensing head 55, the front and rear walls 61 and 62 adjacent the junctures 76 and 77 are pivotally moved outwardly, as illustrated in FIG. l0, the downward defiection of wall 63 at the same time causing the boss 65 to depress the stem 66. It is apparent that this form of my invention differs from the form above described in that the front and rear walls of the last-described form flare outwardly during an operative depression of the top wallwhereas in the form first described said front and rear walls are inclined inwardly. But in both forms, the valve stem is vertically actuated by a downward depression of the top wall to effect the emission of a spray.

The form of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 18 has a dispensing head portion 78, of somewhat resilient material, which is integral with the body portion of the container 79, there being a base plug Si) which is removable so as to permit the insertion and removal of an aerosol unit 81, in known manner. In this particular embodiment, the guide wings 7 8a and 78b are flush with the top wall 82 of the actuator member 83. In other respects this form is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. l to 5. As shown in FIG. 16, the operative depression of said top wall 82 results in a depression of the vertically movable stem 84 and a consequent operative discharge through the nozzle 85.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show the device of FIG. l2 operatively applied to an aerosol unit 86 which has a bendable stem 87, whereby upon an operative deflection of the stem from its dot-dash position (FIG. 17) to its full-line position, the flow of liuid from unit 86 through stem 87 and out through the nozzle 88 is elfected in known manner.

I In the operation of the device with bendable stem 87, the container 86 is grasped with the hand, one finger being also to proper directional operation since the direction of applied pressure is the direction of the spray discharge. Upon the release of actuator member 83, it will return back to its normal initial position, like that shown in FIG. l2, with the said rear and front walls 89 and 90 in vertical positions.

It is thus evident that my invention is adapted to serve a double function, being operatively adaptable for use either with a rigid stem which is depressible vertically, or a'stern bendable laterally for effecting a fluid discharge. When used witha vertically depressible stem, the operative pressure contains no lateral component; and when used with a bendable stem, the operative pressure contains no vertical component. Hence both uses can be effected with maximum efiiciency.

In the various forms of my invention above described, the actuator member is illustrated in its preferred form, to wit, as an inverted U-shaped member with pivotally mounted front and rear walls and a top connecting wall.

In the above description, the invention has been disclosed merely by way 0f example, and in preferred manner; but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or manner of practicing same, except insofar as such limitations are specied in the appended claims.

` prising a body portion and a stem actuator, said actuator comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and a top connecting Wall, said front. and rear walls extending upwardly from the respective front and rear portions of the body portion and having their respective bottom portions hingedly connected to said body portion along parallel hinge lines, said top wall being spaced from said body portion, and completely separated therefrom whereby said actuator is movable relative to said body portion, said actuator being in engagement with said stem and movable therewith, and a nozzle on said actuator and in communication with said discharge aperture of vsaid stem, said nozzle being of xed proportions and mounted on the external portion of said front wall.

2. In a spray device of the type having a casing with uid contents therein under pressure and a valve stem having a discharge aperture therein and movable between upper and lower limiting positions, a dispensing head having a body portion and a resilient stem actuator with a top portion and front and rear portions joined to said top portion and connected to said body portionA at levels below that of said top portion, said top portion having side portions spaced from said body portion and completely separated therefrom, said front and rear portions of said actuator extending upwardly from the respective front and rear portions of said body portion in substantially parallel relation and being hingedly connected to said body portion along parallel hinge lines, said actuator being in engagement with said stem and movable therewith, said actuator being so positioned and proportioned that it is in a predetermined uppermost inoperative position when the stem is in its said upper limiting position and in a predetermined lower operative position when the stem is in its said lower limiting position, and a nozzle on said actuator and in communication with said discharge aperture of said stern.

3. In a spray device of the type having a casing with uid contents therein under pressure and a valve stem having a discharge aperture therein and movable between two operative limiting positions, a dispensing head comprising a body portion and a resilient stem actuator, said actuator comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and a top connecting wall, said front and rear walls extending upwardly from the respective front and rear portions of said body portion and being hingedly connected along Vparallel hinge lines to said body portion at levels below that of said top wall, said top wall being spaced from said body portion and completely separated therefrom, said actuator being in engagement with said stem and movable therewith, and a nozzle on said actuator and in communication with said discharge aperture of said stem, said nozzle being of fixed proportions and mounted on the external portion of said front wall.

4. In a spray device of the type having a casing with fluid contents therein under pressure and a valve stem having a discharge aperture therein and movable between upper and lower limiting positions, a dispensing head having a body portion and a resilient stern actuator, said actuator comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and a ilexible top connecting wall, said front and rear walls extending upwardly from said body portion and being hingedly connected along parallel hinge lines at their bottom portions to said body portion, said top wall being spaced from said body portion and completely separated therefrom, said top, front and rear walls being so proportioned and positioned that when said top wall is downwardly flexed said front and rear walls will swing inwardly about their respective hinge connections, said top wall being in engagement with said stern and movable therewith, and a nozzle on one of said walls and in communication with said discharge aperture of said stern.

5. In a spray device of the type having a casing with fluid contents therein under pressure and a valve stem having a discharge aperture therein and movable between upper and lower limiting positions, a dispensing head having a body portion and a resilient stem actuator, said actuator comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and a flexible top connecting wall, said front and rear walls extending upwardly from said body portion and being hingedly connected along parallel hinge lines at their bottom portions to said body portion, said top wall being spaced from said body portion and completely separated therefrom, said top wall being convexly curved upwardly, said top, front and rear walls being so proportioned and positioned that when said top wall is downwardly exed said front and rear walls will swing outwardly about their respective hinge connections, said top wall being in engagement with said stem and movable therewith, and a nozzle on one of said walls and in communication with said discharge aperture of said stem.

6. In a spray device of the type having a casing With fluid contents therein under pressure and a valve stem having a discharge aperture therein and movable between two operative limiting positions, a dispensing head'comprising a body portion and a resilient stem actuator, said actuator comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and a top connecting wall, said top wall being spaced from said body portion and completely separated therefrom, said front and rear walls extending from said body portion and being rockably connected along parallel hinge lines to said body portion, whereby said top Wall is movable forwardly and rearwardly, said top wall being flexible, whereby the portion thereof intermediate said front and rear walls is movable downwardly, said top wall being in engagement with said stem and movable therewith, and a nozzle on said actuator and in communication with said discharge aperture of said stem.

7. In a spray device, the combination according to claim 6, said rockable connection between said body portion and said front and rear walls being horizontally disposed and positioned at the respective front and rear portions of said dispensing head.

8. In a spray device of the type having a casing with uid contents therein under pressure and a valve stem having a discharge aperture therein and movable between two operative limiting positions, a dispensing head comprising a body portion and a stem actuator integral therewith, said body portion having a cavity accommodating said actuator, said body portion and actuator being of resilient'material, said actuator comprising a front wall, a

rear wall, and a top connecting wall, said top -wall being spaced from said body portion and completely separated therefrom, said front and rear walls extending upwardly from said body portion and being rockably connected along parallel hinge lines to said body portion, whereby said top wall is movable forwardly and rearwardly, said top wall being flexible, whereby the portion thereof intermediate said front and rear walls is movable downwardly, said top wall being in engagement with said stem and movable therewith, and a nozzle on said front wall of said actuator and in communication with said discharge aperture of said stem.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,393,322 Houghton Ian. 22, 1946 2,753,214 Abplanalp July 3, 1956 2,869,764 Collins I an. 20, 1959 2,921,722 Focht Ian. 19, 1960 2,940,641 Norrish et al. June 14, 1960 2,966,283 Darvie Dec. 27, 1960 2,981,446 Campbell Apr. 25, 1961 3,058,626 Hibbs et al Oct. 16, 1962 

1. IN A SPRAY DEVICE OF THE TYPE HAVING A CASING WITH FLUID CONTENTS THEREIN UNDER PRESSURE AND A VALVE STEM HAVING A DISCHARGE APERTURE THEREIN AND MOVABLE BETWEEN TWO OPERATIVE LIMITING POSITIONS, A DISPENSING HEAD COMPRISING A BODY PORTION AND A STEM ACTUATOR, SAID ACTUATOR COMPRISING A FRONT WALL, A REAR, AND A TOP CONNECTING WALL, SAID FRONT AND REAR WALLS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE RESPECTIVE FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS OF THE BODY PORTION AND HAVING THEIR RESPECTIVE BOTTOM PORTIONS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID BODY PORTION ALONG PARALLEL HINGE LINES, SAID TOP WALL BEING SPACED FROM SAID BODY PORTION, AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED THEREFROM WHEREBY SAID ACTUATOR IS MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID BODY PORTION, SAID ACTUATOR BEING IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID STEM AND MOVABLE THEREWITH, AND A NOZZLE ON SAID ACTUATOR AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID DISCHARGE APERTURE OF SAID STEM, SAID NOZZLE BEING OF FIXED PROPORTIONS AND MOUNTED ON THE EXTERNAL PORTION OF SAID FRONT WALL. 